Thea's Tale (Sisters Of The Curse Book 1) (20 page)

“I think I have angered your betrothed,” Aland said, changing the subject abruptly.

“I think you have. May I ask why, when you have treated him as family until now?”

“I took note of your concerns and some of the conversation I have heard the pair of you have. I think he needs to realize that you are his equal, for all you are a woman.”

“Thank you for that high praise, Father. Please be sparing with it. I don’t wish to feel overburdened.”

Aland glared at her, and she rolled her eyes. He continued to glare, and then burst out laughing, which made everyone in the hall look at them.

“I’ve missed you, Thea.”

“And I you, Father. This has been a most distressing time.” Her eyes misted.

“I don’t think it’s past yet, daughter. I feel as though we have more to face,” Aland looked pensive.

Thea debated whether or not to press the moment. “Father, if I may ask?”

He waved a hand. “Oh, go on.”

“Is this the best time to begin negotiations for a new alliance with Samir? Things are unsettled here at home. Perhaps some delay would be…wise.” She hoped he wouldn’t be angry. He used to solicit this sort of advice from her. Since the betrothal, he had not.

Aland didn’t answer immediately. “I have considered that,” he said finally. “I am not completely at ease with it, and I am pleased to see that you are thinking in the same vein. I do not, however, see how to stop what I have begun.”

“Perhaps we could wait and see if Ulric is successful? If he is not, that will change everything.”

“It will indeed. Not for the better, I’m afraid.”

“I don’t know that news would reach Samir that quickly. It takes some time to reach the capital city.”

“If you think the Empress doesn’t have spies here that correspond with her, I didn’t train you right.”

“I beg to differ on the speed of which information from our court is passed, Father. Not that it is passed.”

“I don’t think I have a choice, Thea. I must send Casimir. I know, I know, you don’t agree. But his father has, and that carries more weight.”

“He has? I was unaware that Markellus had responded.”

“I spoke with Casimir two days ago. Markellus sent a very nice letter to me, via his son. He is thrilled for the honor that I have offered his son, is eager for him to take up the mantle of representing our nations, et cetera, et cetera. He also added that he hoped I would ensure every care and comfort for a prince of a neighboring realm. Letting me know he holds me responsible for his son.”

“Well, you are. Why is that an unreasonable request?”

Aland sighed. “It’s not. But I don’t think there’s any harm in waiting to see how Ulric’s suit goes. Who do you think he has his eye on?”

“I’m sure I don’t know, Father. I’ve seen him but twice. Not enough time to ascertain anything.”

“Well, let’s eat and then head to the gardens. Hopefully, he will decide which one of you he likes.”

“Don’t count me in that, Father. I’ve troubles enough.”

Aland laughed again. “I didn’t think I would laugh with you for some time, Thea, but you’ve made a shift. No whining, no carrying on. Does this mean you have accepted your betrothed?”

“Not at all. I think marrying him would be a colossal mistake. We are not well matched. I believe there are others among my sisters who would suit better. Since they don’t come with a crown, there may be other roadblocks besides you feeling you can’t break your word. But I do believe I am not highest in Sebastian’s favor, and as I told you, he is not highest in mine. However, I am a dutiful daughter and will carry on this charade as long as I must.”

“Whatever are you planning, Thea?” Aland leaned in, searching her face with interest.

“I’m not going to tell you, Father. You got me into this mess. I have come to the conclusion I must get myself out of it.”

He patted her hand. “If anyone can manage it, it would be you. I don’t think you can, for the record. But as long as you don’t shame me or embarrass the realm or the family, plot away.” Still chuckling, he turned to Ceridwen.

Thea allowed herself to smile. It was nice to be on better terms with her father. Unfortunately, Ulric saw her smiling and reached up as if to catch something, and then rested his hand on his heart.

She couldn’t help it. She rolled her eyes. Sebastian turned to Ulric and spoke quietly, but Thea could see he was angry. Then Casimir leaned in and whatever he said made Ulric laugh and Sebastian turn red. He glared at Casimir and deliberately turned his back on the two princes, who both snickered.

Maybe keeping Casimir here longer was not the best move if she wanted to keep him in good health.

Chapter Nine

Thea was hiding. She’d been squired, at times almost forcibly, through the gardens. If Ulric wasn’t at her elbow offering a drink, a sweetmeat, or his arm, then Sebastian was there glowering at Ulric and muttering to one of his burly friends. He’d been less than pleasant to Thea.

She felt rather sorry for him. He obviously felt threatened and, sadly, he was not rising to the occasion. Casimir, in the same vein he had showed at breakfast, seemed to be tethered to Sebastian, making cheery remarks that were met without even the barest attempt at pleasantry.

When the three princes had stopped to discuss some aspect of sport, she’d escaped and found her way to a quiet spot, sitting behind her mother. She didn’t look up as someone sat next to her in a flurry of skirts.

“You’re the belle of the afternoon, Thea.” Lisette fanned herself. “I couldn’t keep up with you. Everyone saw you, you know. Running from three fine princes.”

Thea sighed deeply. Her expression must have been very pained because Lisette muffled a shout of laughter.

“Hush, simpleton! They’ll find me!” Thea hunched over, hoping no one saw Lisette. They’d know where she was if they did.

Lisette held up her fan directly in front of her face and applied it vigorously. “I’ve never seen the like, Thea. Do you have a charm of some sort on your person?”

Thea grimaced. “Yes. It’s big and golden and has the words ‘Your Majesty’ engraved upon it.”

“Well, it’s not as if you are nothing more than a crown,” Lisette said indignantly. “The crown is icing.”

“My poor sisters. All these princes, and not one of them looking elsewhere. Oh, Lisette, I want none of this!” Thea lowered her voice, afraid she’d cry from the frustration. Did these men think she was so simple as to not see through them? Other than Casimir, neither of them knew her at all, nor did they take the time to even try.

“Honestly, I think most are as amused as I am,” Lisette said, attempting to be consoling. “I am sorry, Thea. We did watch the chase for a bit. I ought to have tried a rescue earlier.”

“Yes, you should have!” Thea rounded on her. “Leaving me to that! At this point, I’ll have nothing to do with two of them. It’s all about winning.”

“What about Casimir?” Lisette whispered.

“He is deviling both of them. He gives me arch looks when he thinks no one is looking at him. He’s probably right. Sebastian and Ulric are holding the attention of everyone. And that poor boy, he’s going to attempt my father’s challenge. Then what when he doesn’t?”

“Thea,” Lisette said gently, laying a hand on the fan Thea was twisting. “You must not fall apart here. It would not be seemly.”

“I know.” Thea sat up and leaned back in her chair. “I’m just so cross to see noblemen acting like dogs in a stable yard. I’m none too pleased with the third for goading the foolishness.” She glared at Casimir, who just happened to glance at her. She could see him start slightly at what was probably a scowl on her face. He looked away quickly.

“Nor do I wish for any further dissent from my sisters. There are already two of them who….” Thea drifted off, unsure how to explain Isobel, or her thoughts about Adelaide’s feelings. “I will say only that there are more eyes cast on the princes than they realize.”

“Did you not think this would happen?” Lisette asked with some surprise. “You are the top choice for anyone, Thea. You’re beautiful, and while not all men would appreciate it, smart. Your father has brought you up to rule, not as a simpering milksop. You bring a dowry like no other. This was fated to happen, regardless of what princes came to visit.”

“I hadn’t thought of it like that.”

Lisette flapped the fan at her. “That’s because the king has been indulgent with you. Any other princess would have a brood of children around her by now. He wanted the right choice for you.”

“Well, he didn’t do his best!” Thea snapped.

Lisette just looked at her for a moment. Then she held up her fan and dissolved into giggles behind it. “I haven’t seen you this flustered in…oh…forever. It’s rather funny, Thea.”

“Thank you, Lady DeKasen. You are ever so helpful.” Thea snapped open her own fan, now rather mauled, and fanned herself. “Oh, no! They’ve spotted me!” Her eyes widened. Ulric saw her first, and like a ship changing course, headed directly for her with Sebastian at his side and Casimir following in their wake. “Don’t leave! I am not sure I can be polite! They’re so wretched!”

“I’ll be right here with you.” Lisette said. She fluttered the fan in front of her demurely, looking every inch the proper lady as the three princes approached. She stood, and when they were in front of her and Thea, she sank into a curtsy. “My lords,” she said, with head bowed.

“Lady Lisette,” Casimir stepped from behind the other two, taking her hand. “Pray, be seated. It’s too hot to do otherwise.”

“I thank you, my lord.” She dimpled up at him.

Thea would normally be angry with Lisette for flirting with Casimir, but at this point, she didn’t care.

“The heat does not diminish you, my lady,” said Ulric, bowing over Thea’s hand. “Like a rose, it only enhances.”

Thea resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “You are too kind, my lord.”

Sebastian had much less patience. “Thank you for the fine compliments to my betrothed, Ulric. Why don’t you have a seat over there?” He gestured to where some of her sisters sat.

It really was hard not to giggle. Sebastian clearly was out of sorts.

“No, I thank you for my share of the ladies, but I am fine here, Sebastian.” Ulric grinned. “My lady, can you tell me where I shall be sleeping this evening? Is it in your chambers?”

Lisette choked.

“Ah, but that is a mystery,” said Casimir. “No one other than the guard is allowed in the chambers of the princesses. You’ll have to make note of all you see. I hear, my lady,” he turned to Thea, “That there is a great room with a wall of glass. It’s higher up in the castle. Is that so?”

“You are a goose, Casimir. While no one other than my sisters or I or our ladies visit, you can clearly see the wall of the solarium from the garden.” Thea had no patience for this.

“Oh, that is your chamber? How odd, my lady, that in all the time I spent here prior, I didn’t realize. The king does indeed guard his daughters carefully, does he not, Lady Lisette?” He grinned conspiratorially at Lisette.

“He does, my lord. As well you know!” Lisette, still grinning at Casimir’s teasing comments, turned to Ulric and continued, “I believe that you will be in one of the chambers beyond the solarium, my lord. I am certainly not the one to make such a decision, but it would be a reasonable choice.”

“I am most eager to see your rooms,” Ulric said to Thea.

“Enough.” Sebastian’s tone was icy. “It is not appropriate to discuss the rooms of a lady, much less a princess, and certainly not one who is betrothed. Perhaps,” he bared his teeth at Ulric, “You might be able to opportune another of the princesses for a tour of the rooms.” He spoke as though Ulric would have a hard time convincing any of them.

Ulric shrugged. “One never knows, does one? After all, everything that is a mystery is behind closed doors, eh?” He smiled, and as Sebastian reddened, he clapped him on the back, and stood.

“Your Highness, my lady,” he bowed to both Thea and Lisette. “I believe I shall find some refreshment. May I offer you anything?”

Thea shook her head quickly, and Lisette followed her lead. He smiled again, and moved away. Thea watched him as he stopped to talk with her mother and some of her sisters. Brash though he was, she could see his charm. He was growing on her.

Which made the thought of him having to die for her even worse. Her brow furrowed. Casimir immediately noticed.

“Are you unwell, Thea?” He leaned closer.

“I am hot,” she said bluntly. “Too much walking to and fro.” Being dragged about was more like it, she thought.

“Then allow me to fetch you and the Lady Lisette some refreshment. I am sure when combined with your good man here,” Casimir nodded at Sebastian, who looked suspicious, “You will recover in no time at all.” He bowed and walked quickly away.

“Damn the pair of them,” Sebastian muttered. “Insolent braggarts, both of them.”

“These are our allies,” Thea said mildly. Petty though it was, it eased her irritation to see Sebastian even more so.

“Doesn’t mean I have to like them. I would ask that you keep away from Ulric this evening,” he said to Thea, ignoring Lisette.

Thea glanced quickly at her, eyes widening. Lisette turned away slightly, allowing for a little more privacy.

“I have no intention of being welcoming to anyone other than my sisters within my own chambers, Sebastian. I am surprised you would say such a thing.”

When he turned away to look in the other direction, she allowed herself a small smile. There really wasn’t anything he could say without impugning her. Not that her reputation was stellar at this point anyway, what with the whole slipper mystery being broadcast far and wide. But Sebastian couldn’t say it, regardless of what he might think.

And she wasn’t going to let anyone cast aspersions on her. They might do it when her back turned, but anyone doing so would need to be discreet.

“Thea, do you have an answer to the mystery?” For the first time all day, Sebastian lost his petulant tone.

“I wish that I did. I wish that I could give an answer and end this foolishness. Had the cobbler not had a nosy wife, it would have come to naught,” Thea said.

“What? What are you speaking of?” Sebastian looked confused.

“Nothing, Sebastian. Only that I cannot give my father the answer he is seeking. If he feels this is the way to discover what happens to our slippers, I am not one to challenge it. I don’t wish for this, not by any means. But this is the choice my father has made, and we must all live with the consequences of it.”

“Will he really be put to death?” Sebastian lowered his voice.

Not low enough, as Casimir, with a footman behind him, answered. “He must, if he does not fulfill the question he has undertaken to answer. The king has said death is the penalty. Thus it must be so.”

“I hope that it does not come to that.” Thea began to twist her fan again. Looking out over the garden, she gazed without seeing. She took the cup the footman offered without really paying attention. “I have no wish to have his death on my head.”

She looked down, and no one spoke. The teasing of earlier had gone. Abruptly, she rose, and Sebastian and Lisette jumped to their feet. “I am feeling the heat more than I thought. Lady Lisette, will you accompany me to my rooms?”

Lisette bobbed to the princes. Thea nodded to both of them, turned, and took Lisette’s arm as they walked.

“I cannot stop this, Lisette. I am very afraid he’s going to die.”

***

Dinner was nearly over. Thea barely touched the food. She pled a headache and general malaise. Her father, still in a decent humor from their conversation that morning, had not remarked upon it. As before, Sebastian sat next to her. The rest of her sisters had left the head table, and were socializing. Mostly with Ulric, she noted.

“Thea, what is it?”

“I am afraid, Sebastian. I don’t want anyone to die. I don’t see how I can stop this, however.”

Sebastian shrugged. “Both Cas and I talked to him. Told him the king was in earnest, and he needed to find out what happened to keep his head. He is a man, Thea, for all his foolish prattle. A man can make decisions for himself.”

“Why do you not attempt to solve the mystery?” She turned to look at him.

“I have no need to risk my life for a kingdom,” he answered.

Thea couldn’t speak. She had been right when she told Lisette earlier that her biggest attraction was the crown. When she found her voice, she said, “I think you should give my sister Adelaide your conversation. She is rather shy and seems to enjoy speaking with you. As I am not feeling well, I give you leave.”

Sebastian looked at her. “That is kind of you, Thea, but I am content to sit with you without conversation.”

“Please do. I am terrible company this evening, I am ashamed to say.”

“May I bring you anything before I leave, then?” Sebastian stood. She could see the battle warring behind his eyes. He liked Adelaide, but he wasn’t going to admit it.

She offered a genuine smile. “Can you bring an end to this evening?  My head feels fit to burst.”

“I am sorry, Thea. That’s for your father,” he began.

“No, no, I know this. Please. You may take your leave. After all, this is to be your family as well. You might as well get to know us all.” She beamed at him.

With another look at her, he moved away. It pleased her to see him wander the room and end up next to Adelaide. After just enough time to appear respectable, he sat with her at a table and called for a drink.  Thea saw the same glow cross Addy’s face she’d seen earlier, and she smiled.

She knew people were watching her, watching to see if she minded. By smiling, she let those seeking scandal know there was nothing to gossip over. Oh, people would gossip, but it would not hold weight. Not when she seemed at ease.